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Jamie Dupree’s Washington Insider

Clinton, Trump edge toward November showdown

In a decisive set of victories, Donald Trump overwhelmed his Republican rivals and Hillary Clinton took another big step toward her party’s nomination, as voters in five eastern states pushed Trump and Clinton closer to a general election showdown for President in November.

Trump didn’t just win on Tuesday – he obliterated Ted Cruz and John Kasich in five eastern states:

The delegate tally showed just how good a night it was for Trump, as he won 110 pledged delegates; John Kasich received 5, and Ted Cruz had three.

Those were not exactly numbers that would result in an open convention.

As for the 54 officially “unpledged” delegates from Pennsylvania, Trump’s slate was doing well in those races, as about half were going to candidates backed by the GOP leader, with others likely to vote for him as the winner of their Congressional district.

Trump slate has 31 of 54 unbound PA slots with 98% counted. 7 on 'not Trump' slate, another 11 who said they'd support winner of their CD,

As for the Democratic race, Hillary Clinton further tightened her grip on her party’s nomination, as she won in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Connecticut.

Like Trump, Clinton was also looking ahead to November.

As for Sanders, he gave no hint that he was getting out of the race after winning only in Rhode Island.

“I congratulate Secretary Clinton on her victories tonight, and I look forward to issue-oriented campaigns in the 14 contests to come,” Sanders said in an email to supporters.

But after the results of the last two weeks, it gets more and more difficult for those opposing Clinton and Trump.

A win next week in Indiana for Trump would just about lock up the GOP nomination – and if Clinton can win the Hoosier State – then both candidates may be on a collision course in November..

First incumbent in Congress loses in 2016

Despite a lot of talk about voter “anger” in the Republican race for President, the first member of Congress to lose a primary this year was actually a Democrat.

Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) of Philadelphia lost his re-election bid, mainly because of a cloud of scandal hanging over him, as a federal grand jury indicted him last year on a variety of corruption charges.